Zen Cowboy House – Amarillo, Texas

Zen Cowboy House Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: This mid-century modern bungalow holds its own in a neighborhood filled with impressive homes. It has been renovated to include all modern conveniences. Filled with Asian touches, we call this our “Zen Cowboy” home. It’s walls are filled with original Western art that reflect the owner’s unique taste and love of Western illustration. The Zen Cowboy home is a fully furnished 2-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom, with all appliances including

  • washer/dryer
  • central AC/heat
  • pots
  • pans
  • utensils
  • plates
  • glasses
  • everything you need to make cooking enjoyable
Come home to comfy leather La-Z-Boy’s, a fireplace, HDTV, expanded cable service, wifi, dining room, wet bar, fireplace, a second common sitting area for two, a master bed/bath with a king-sized bed and a private sitting area looking out into the fenced yard. The second bedroom has a queen-sized bed with attached private bath. There is also a half-bath in the entry area. The garden and fenced yard include magnolia trees, Chinese statuary, and seasonal plantings. There is also a one-car garage for your convenience. Enjoy Amarillo at its very best with original artwork, books, Texas books, and local magazines. Located in the Bivins historic neighborhood, close to shopping (Wolflin Village), a wide-variety of restaurants and entertainment. It’s a perfect home base for exploring Palo Duro, Tule, and Caprock Canyons; Route 66, Cadillac Ranch, dozens of historical sites, “Texas” the musical, and golfing. The adventurous types will enjoy zip-lining, horseback riding, and of course, our exceptional sunrises and sunsets.

See the Zen Cowboy House Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Texas

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Arbor House – San Antonio, Texas

Arbor HousePeriodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: Arbor House Inn and Suites was opened in October 1995, but the history of the buildings which now comprise the unique 8 suite bed and breakfast, began in 1903, when a Swiss cabinet maker built these cottage homes for himself and his family. During recent renovations the houses were awarded the San Antonio Conservation Society Plaque, awarded for excellence in historic renovations. The 4 buildings are clustered around a lush garden with beautiful fountain, outdoor seating & umbrella tables, in downtown San Antonio. Arbor House is centrally located one block from historic La Villita, and the River Walk, and two blocks from the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center. Other attractions such as the Alamo are 3 blocks away. Guest Suites have been individually decorated with furnishings and art work collected from a myriad of sources – functional, interesting and fun. You will never stay in any hotel as unique, intimate or convenient. Each house has only three suites, featuring high ceilings, pine floors, private baths, and all the conveniences of central air and heat, state of the art phone system with data ports. All of the suites have refrigerators, microwaves and coffee pots. Some suites have private balconies. “We provide visitors a relaxed atmoshpere, a center-of-the-city location, and San Antonio charm at a reasonable price.” A new tradition in downtown San Antonio. Arbor House Inn and Suites was featured in the March ’04 edition of Southern Living Magazine.

See the Arbor House Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in San Antonio

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Scurlock Farms – Vacation Rental Villa in Georgetown, Texas

Scurlock Farms Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: Scurlock Farms is a beautiful 172 acre working farm in the Texas Hill Country. The Palette Pad was built as the art studio for well-known Texas landscape artist C.P. Montague, one of President Lyndon Johnson’s favorites. Rocky Overlook was built by her husband as their dream home. The homes are unique as every rock in the two homes was picked up from the San Gabriel River that forms the Northern one mile border of the farm, then hand-laid by the couple. Many rock masons have admired their work. Rocky Overlook is a 2500 sq ft home with two large king master suites, two baths and a wonderful fireplace. The large fully stocked kitchen overlooks the large terraced patios and the ravine to the river bottom. Guests enjoy the large upper patio with seating for 17, large smoker, charcoal grill and fire pit. Washer and dryer. The Palette Pad is a 500 sq ft home and guests have loved the feeling of the outdoors coming in through the walls of floor-to-ceiling windows. Fully stocked kitchen and beautiful outdoor seating area overlooking the bluff with charcoal grill, fire pit and rockers. The third home, Indian Bluff, is 1/2 mile down the drive and it has a king master suite, two queen bedrooms and two baths. There is a covered patio with table and chairs, charcoal grill and a great fire pit area. Washer and dryer for your convenience. Families with children love the garage with air hockey, fooseball, basketball hoop, futon, dining set, and toy box. All homes have plenty of luxury linens, basic spices, soaps, shampoo, hair dryers, toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags, and firewood is also provided. All homes have central air/heat. If you love the outdoors, you will love Scurlock Farms! There are miles of hiking areas, one mile of river to enjoy. The tubing and kayaking were great this summer and the fishing is great (we even have a fishing guide that can give you lessons and provide all the equipment and bait if you would like). Hike up the spring-fed creek and see hundreds of fossils in the limestone banks or all along the limestone riverbank. Many a photographer has delighted in getting great shots while visiting. Wildlife abounds and the birding is great. 2/3 of all birds found in Texas are found in Williamson County. Backpacks and picnic baskets are in each home. Pack a lunch and enjoy it on the river banks or in the picnic area down below. A charcoal grill, fire ring and picnic table are there for your enjoyment. Scurlock Farms is ideally situated for those that want to do a lot of day trips. Austin is 30 minutes away, Salado 25 minutes, Waco 70 minutes, and Georgetown only 10 minutes. Enjoy your days out, then come “home” to the farm and enjoy your favorite beverage as you watch the sun set.

See the Scurlock Farms Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Texas Prairies and Lakes

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Eating Out: Houston

Houston - Jeff Heilman Since first learning about the Menil Collection 12 years ago, I’ve hungered for its “spiritual” showcase of art. No admission fee; no public tours; no descriptive plaques. Just the late Dominique and John de Menil’s gift to Houston, housed in a celebrated structure from preeminent museum architect Renzo Piano, of their supreme art collection. It was a feast beyond expectations. Spanning time and genres, from Byzantine to Pop Art, these treasures are rotated in convention-defying juxtaposition–expressly to invite individual, personal contemplation and interpretation. In the tranquility of Piano’s triumphant design, with tall trees and garden atriums integrated in wraparound porticos and the sun dancing through his ingenuous skylight system, I realized the intended effect that had originally inspired the young de Menils of the museum as a place to “lose your head.”

By Jeff Heilman – Full Story at Passport Magazine

Houston Gay Travel Resources

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Homestead at 3218 – Gay Retreat in Crawford, Texas

Homestead at 3218 Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: The Homestead at 3218 is a clothing-optional members-only retreat exclusively for gay & bi men located on a private cattle ranch in rural Crawford, Texas, near Waco. Mark Mattlage and Rob Snowden, a gay couple for 36 years and married since February 2014, opened this venue on May 20, 2016. The first phase of the retreat covers about two acres and features a two-story Pool House containing five fully-furnished rooms with private baths and full kitchens; an 18′ x 36′ heated swimming pool; free onsite parking; and a Rec Center. The latter is where all new and returning members check-in at the Reception Desk each time they visit. The building provides members with a video and game lounge; drink vending machine; clothes lockers; personal items lockers; a steam room; large, open shower room and restroom facilities; a bunk room with six roll away beds and lockers; seven hostel-style sleeping cubicles; and an outdoor patio surrounded by a high-fence. Other retreat amenities include free WiFi and select DIRECTV channels in the suites. The first floor Pool House suites are wheelchair-accessible and accept small dogs 25 lbs. and under. The retreat’s second phase, scheduled for completion later this year, will encompass an additional three acres accommodating about fifteen RV/travel trailer pad sites with utility connections and a central waste dump station and approximately ten primitive camp sites. It also includes transforming an existing farm tool shed into a bar & grill serving three meals daily. Mattlage and Snowden started planning their retreat after studying gay get-away venues – both clothing-optional and not – across North America. They decided since nothing quite like their envisioned venue existed in Texas that they’d create it on a portion of the 187-acre ranch they own in the Central Texas area near Waco. This married couple plans to add more member amenities beyond those offered in the first two phases of The Homestead at 3218’s development.

See the Homestead at 3218 Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Texas

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33 Things I Love About Austin – Globetrotter Girls

Austin, Texas I spent nearly a month in Austin and I’ve already mentioned in my monthly round-up that I’ve got a huge crush on Texas’ quirky capital – who knew that a city in Texas of all places could sweep me off my feet the way that Austin did. I’ve done a fair amount of traveling in the U.S. during the past 6 years, including numerous road trips that brought me to dozens of U.S. cities – but I don’t think I’ve ever declared that I am so enamored with a place that I could see myself live there – that has always been NYC’s prerogative. But I think I might want to make an exception for Austin. Why? Well, let me share 33 of the things that I love about Austin…

1 THE FOOD TRUCKS

Of course, for me as a foodie, a city with dozens of food trucks is a culinary paradise. Even if I had tried to eat at a different food truck every day during my month long visit, I wouldn’t have been able to cover them all. Which means I’ll have to come back to continue my quest to try all of them. My favorite so far? Gourdough’s Big.Fat.Doughnuts. Yes, I have a sweet tooth, and I don’t eat BBQ (or any kind of meat), so it’s a dessert food truck that takes the crown (for now). If you’re visiting Austin and are wondering which food trucks are the best, here are 10 food trucks you need to visit in Austinand if you still have room for more, 17 essential food trucks in Austin.

2 THE WEATHER

I don’t think any city could ever come close to how much I love New York, but Austin did impress me a lot – and one point where it wins over NYC is without a doubt the weather. While my friends in New York were still wearing scarfs and winter jackets at the beginning of May, I was sweating by the pool. And months of ice and snow? Not in Austin! It’s not rare to have temperatures in the 80s here during the winter months. Perfect.

By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls

Austin Gay Travel Resources

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Austin, Texas – Globetrotter Girls

Austin - Dani I have to apologize if I’m getting on your nerves with my constant ravings about Austin – I’ve already sang the city’s praises here and here – and I can’t stop gushing about Texas’ quirky capital. I arrived in New York last week and have been enthusiastically talking about how great Austin is ever since my plane touched down here, almost forgetting that I’m in my favorite city in the world. But my last week in Austin was a great one, and I finally got the local introduction to the city that I had hoped for: from someone who had lived in Austin for many years and knew the city inside out. Together, we hit up some of East Austin’s coolest bars (including the fabulous Weather Up bar, which I learned had a branch in Brooklyn’s Prospect Heights neighborhood, just around the corner from where I lived two years ago – not sure how I had missed that place back then!). I was introduced to the magic of pinball arcades (I need to bring them to NYC – so much fun!), finally watched a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse while enjoying craft beers and a surprisingly tasty meal, wishing I could always enjoy restaurant service and booze in a movie theater (apparently Brooklyn is getting an Alamo Drafthouse in a few weeks – I am excited!), and had a midnight diner meal at the Magnolia Cafe which came to fame thanks to the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls

Austin Gay Travel Resources

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Street Art in Deep Ellum, Dallas

Deep Ellum I love it when I visit a place without any expectations and end up being pleasantly surprised. And I happened to visit one such place this month. A place I never even thought I’d visit: Dallas. In my head, Dallas was a big, personality-lacking, dull, corporate kind-of-city. Instead, I found a city filled with interesting attractions, a fantastic restaurant scene, great bars, street art (even more than in much more alternative Austin!). To be honest, I didn’t even plan to visit any other Texan cities while I was in Austin, but as so often, the opportunity to go up there for the weekend arose suddenly, and I jumped on it, because.. Why not? And I already began to think that I should’ve allocated more time to exploring Dallas when I, upon researching cool stuff to check out in Dallas, came across this list of 50 free fun things to do in Dallas of which I wanted to check out over a dozen! All I got during this brief weekend trip was a teaser of the city, and the desire to come back for more (which is luckily extremely likely to happen if I get to spend more time in Austin in the future, which I’d love).

By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls

Dallas Gay Travel Resources

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Wonderfully Weird Austin – Globetrotter Girls

Austin - Dani Oh, Austin… I don’t even know where to start.. This city has swept me off my feet the minute I got here! Over the years, I’ve been told by several people that I should go and check out Austin because I’d like it and it was ,my kind of city’ (and that’s what piqued my curiosity and made me eventually come here!). And yes, they were absolutely right! So what’s ‘Dani’s kind of city’, you’re asking? A green city. A city filled with food trucks. A city filled with craft beer bars, some of which have over 100 (!!) beers on tap. A city with more live music venues I could possibly visit in a month. A dog friendly city where dogs have their own little beaches along the river. A city where apartment complexes don’t only come with communal swimming pools and BBQ areas, but also with kayak parking lots and their own docks on the river. A city where there are more kayaks and SUPs on the river than cars on the road (who am I kidding, the traffic in Austin is definitely something that we need to work on.. but still: on weekends, there are so many kayaks and SUPs on the river that it seems like half of Austin is out on the Colorado River).

By Dani – Full Story at Globetrotter Girls

Texas Gay Travel Resources

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Austin, Texas: The World’s Next Drag Capital?

Austin, Texas Austin, Texas might be best known for being the home of the annual South by Southwest festival, but a new artistic sub-culture is slowly taking over. In the spirit of “Keep Austin Weird,” the city is becoming a global leader in drag entertainment. From false lashes to sequin gowns, drag queens and kings can be found in venues across the city, and once a year the city hosts hundreds of drag performers for a three-day festival known as Austin International Drag Festival. Performers and fans travel from around the world to celebrate the art of drag and to meet a variety of entertainers. The Austin International Drag Festival is just one many ways the city’s drag scene is becoming internationally recognized.

Full Story at Queerty

Austin Gay Travel Resources

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